MARDAN: Awami National Party provincial president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has termed the killing of Haroon Bilour a national tragedy, saying government and national institutions have failed to provide security to poll candidates and politicians.

ANP candidate for PK-78 Haroon Bilour and 19 other activists of his party were killed in a suicide attack in Yakatoot area of Peshawar on Tuesday night.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Hoti alleged that some forces were trying to keep ANP out of the elections.

ANP leader terms killing of Haroon Bilour a national tragedy

“The martyrdom of Haroon Bilour has given a new courage to ANP leaders and workers.

We will not leave the field of elections empty for our rivals rather we will take part in the next general polls with great enthusiasm,”he said.

On the occasion, Fateha was also offered for the victims of Yakatoot suicide blast.

“Life and death is in God’s hand as a day is fixed for death. Neither we will afraid of the attacks of terrorists, nor will bow before them,” said Mr Hoti.

He said that ANP would restart their election campaign after three-day mourning.

He said that he himself would lead the election drive and activities after completion of the mourning.

He alleged that ANP was being targeted to benefit some other political forces.

Mr Hoti said that his party workers would not remain silent over the current situation and challenges faced by them.

He said that the morale of ANP activists was high. He said that real target of such activities was mandate of ANP.

“Some forces are afraid of our mandate that’s why efforts are being made to create hurdles in our way and keep us out of the election race,” he alleged.

Mr Hoti said that the government should resign if it could not provide security and protection to the people.

He said what the relevant security institutions were doing as he himself got news from media about threats of terrorists.

He said that he was not contacted by any responsible official or institution in that connection.

Mr Hoti said that the ANP leadership would make consultations, keeping in view the current

situation, to devise future line of action.

He, however, made it clear that ANP would take part in the elections.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2018